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Mazda Axela
Stylish compact hatchback and saloon with SkyActiv performance.
Highest ratedBest value
Subaru ImprezaMazda AxelaToyota Auris
Mandai score
7.5/10
8.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 2,050,000
KSh 1,650,000
KSh 1,950,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2020
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
45
5
5
Most popular trim
Impreza 1.6i-L / 2.0i-S EyeSight / Sport
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Auris 1.5 150X S Package / Hybrid G
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,475 mm (Hatch) / 4,640 mm (Saloon)
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
4,330 mm
Width
1,775 mm
1,795 mm
1,760 mm
Height
1,480 mm
1,440 mm
1,480 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,700 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
130 mm
145 mm
140 mm
Boot space
385 L (1,240 L folded)
358 L
360 L (1,200 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,340 kg
1,280 kg
1,270 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L FB20 Direct Injection Boxer 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
1.5L 1NZ-FE / 1.2L 8NR-FTS Turbo / 1.8L 2ZR-FXE Hybrid
Power
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
109 hp (1.5L) / 116 hp (1.2T) / 136 hp combined (Hybrid)
Torque
196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
136 Nm (1.5L) / 185 Nm (1.2T) / 142 Nm (Hybrid)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
9.2 sec
9.8 sec
10.0 sec (1.2T) / 10.9 sec (1.5L)
Top speed
197 km/h
188 km/h
190 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
15.8 km/L (2.0L) / 17.2 km/L (1.6L)
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
16.0 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 17.5 km/L (1.2T) / 26.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
City
13.0 km/L (2.0L) / 14.5 km/L (1.6L)
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
13.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 14.5 km/L (1.2T) / 25.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
Highway
18.5 km/L (2.0L) / 20.0 km/L (1.6L)
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
18.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (1.2T) / 27.5 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
Tank size
50 L
51 L
50 L (Petrol) / 45 L (Hybrid)
CO₂ emissions
136 g/km
114 g/km
128 g/km (1.5L) / 86 g/km (Hybrid)
At a glance
Model
Subaru Impreza (GK / GT Series)
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Toyota Auris / Corolla Sport (E180 / E210 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2020
Body type
Hatchbacks / Saloons
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
5-Door Compact Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Engine sizes
1,599 cc (1.6L FB16) / 1,995 cc (2.0L FB20)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
1,196 cc (1.2T) / 1,496 cc (1.5L) / 1,797 cc (1.8L Hybrid)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
Ground clearance
130 mm
145 mm
140 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Standard Symmetrical AWD: Superior grip during heavy downpours on Nairobi tarmac.
- Subaru Global Platform (SGP): Rigid chassis delivers sharp handling and quiet cabin refinement.
- Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 1.6L and 2.0L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
- Sub-1,500 cc customs duty advantage: 1.5L petrol and diesel models qualify for KRA's lowest excise tax bracket.
- High-torque 1.5L diesel engine: 15XD turbo diesel delivers 270 Nm torque while achieving 21.6 km/L fuel economy.
- Upscale cabin craftsmanship: Soft-touch interior materials, MZD Connect infotainment, and heads-up HUD display.
- Excellent high-speed stability: Rigid SkyActiv chassis and 2,700 mm wheelbase provide planted highway handling.
- High durability and resale demand: Proven Toyota mechanicals ensure minimal depreciation in local markets.
- Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: 1.2T and 1.5L variants qualify for lower KRA import duty valuation.
- Outstanding 26.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: 1.8L THS-II hybrid eliminates daily fuel costs in Nairobi traffic.
- Seamless transition to Corolla Sport: Shares core mechanical components with late-model Toyota hatchbacks.
What’s not so good
- 130 mm ground clearance: Low ride height requires care over tall speed bumps.
- CVT responsiveness: Lineartronic CVT prioritizes fuel economy over aggressive acceleration.
- 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps and ramps.
- Compact rear passenger headroom: Sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for tall adults over 6 feet.
- Costly i-Stop AGM battery replacement: Start-stop system requires specialized Q-85 (petrol) or S-95 (diesel) batteries.
- Low 140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall speed bumps and unpaved estate access roads.
- Rear legroom: Rear passenger space is adequate for city hops but slightly tighter than a Premio.